Daily/Weekly Thoughts

August 2016

One Year Later!

Thoughts from Alisha and Josh one year after the diagnosis of SMA Type 1.

"One year ago a neurologist told us that our Emmett has Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1 ... But today we are thrilled and amazed that Emmett has the chance to be the most cheerful toddler who loves to swim, drive his chair around, and play with his balloons. Emmett, you are our greatest adventure!"

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Guest Comment 7 years ago
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You are amazing parents. Emmett is so blessed. We love you guys!!!❤️The Gooches.

"New to Emmett" Van

Emmett is feeling fine now and thanks everyone for their prayers and concern. 

A few blog posts ago I mentioned that Alisha and Josh had found a solution to their transportation concerns - a wheelchair accessible van.

Wheelchair vans are expensive. Plus they are very time consuming to make. Yet the 4 door compact car that Alisha and Josh were transporting Emmett around in was simply stuffed to the roof with his equipment for just a short journey. There was barely enough room for luggage for an overnight stay while fitting a wheel chair next to impossible. A power chair – not a chance. This family had to go shopping for an automobile. The question being ‘what’? Simply a larger vehicle to accommodate the volume of material required or some type of mobility vehicle? If a mobility van, how long would it take to get? and how much?

While contemplating what to do for a more spacious vehicle to haul themselves around, the need for a wheel chair accessible van became a priority when Emmett got a power chair. Even though he has only had it for a few weeks, this chair has become an important part of Emmett’s life. To put it simply, he loves it! Maybe even more than swimming!

Josh heard from a long time friend, who’s an occupational therapist, about a family with a potentially available wheelchair accessible van. It was a terrible tragedy for them, as their ten year old child had recently passed away. We could empathize with the pain they were experiencing, yet also so appreciated what they were doing. They wanted their 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan – equipped with a SideWinder rear entry ramp – to go to a family that needed a mobility van for a child. Their tears and sadness were hopefully lightened a little knowing that another little one, Emmett in this case, could make use of the vehicle that they had maintained so diligently.

This six year old van is exactly what a budget minded family would want. It is in excellent shape and, if necessary, can seat six plus the wheelchair. It has a manual ramp which is unbelievably easy to deploy and is also low maintenance. A heavy duty spring means that with just one hand it can easily be opened and closed. Emmett has already been for a couple of rides in his chair in his new van. Without doubt, he loves it! He can sort of look out and up through the front windshield which absolutely makes car rides more intriguing. For most trips he's secured in his car bed, which fits perfectly into this spacious van. That's what they used when they recently made the trips to Vancouver to BC Childrens Hospital.

While the van was purchased for a great deal, it is still a huge expense for this family. Donations to date were being saved up for a big event - and fortunately the big event was getting this van with donations covering more than half of the expense. Thank you so much - we simply cannot say thank you often enough.  We want you to know that your continued best wishes, prayers, positive thoughts are by far the most important thing we need from you. We thank God daily for the progress that we witness with this little boy. He is our little miracle. We hope that sharing Emmett's Journey with you provides you with inspiration, happiness, and joy. We know that there have likely been some tears too! That's part of this journey.

Of course, now that Emmett is upright, he can see that his mom and dad are driving. And that almost knocks his pants right off! I love this look of semi-terror as Josh is getting ready to move the van!

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Guest Comment 7 years ago
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I love these pictures. My heart is so happy to see Emmett in his new van and off to new adventures. I will share this with the E family. Love Dar.

Not Feeling Good!

The last couple of days Emmett has been quite irritable. Yesterday wasn't sleeping and more irritable. Fever. Threw up in the morning - something he rarely does. Alisha got him an appointment with his paediatrician who could tell he was uncomfortable, ordered a few tests as benchmarks but also to see if they revealed anything, and set it up so that Emmett could go right to the paediatric floor. He got the best care and treatment on Abbotsford Hospital's 4th floor, tests done quickly, and sent home. Blood work results were clear.

However, little Emmett was still miserable. Holding him wasn't comfortable, a bath wasn't fun, his swing just okay, and he wouldn't sleep. The only thing that would make him laugh was 'Paw Patrol' episodes. We watched a lot of Paw Patrol. This morning Late last night he was throwing up more so Alisha, Josh, and Emmett made an early morning late night trek to BC Children's Hospital. He just won't settle. Praying that they find what is bothering him!

UPDATE: Emmett's lungs are clear and they're coming back home. He's still irritable, but after a session of throwing up there was a huge worry of something being aspirated into his lungs. Fortunately, that's not the case. Now to live through this stage of irritability!

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Guest Comment 7 years ago
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Hoping Emmett can feel more comfortable soon! Smiles to you, precious guy!
Guest Comment 7 years ago
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Feeling for Alisha and Josh as they try to help Emmett get comfortable... Paw Patrol is a great show... We watch it at times with our Grandson as well!

17 Months (and 3 days) Old!

Yesterday Emmett's Great-Grandmother asked me if it wasn't Emmett's birthday already. And since it had passed, asked why there wasn't his normal birthday blog? Well, I was camping in the U.S. near Mount Baker so I didn't have access to the Internet let alone my computer. But, two days late here it is! Happy 17 months and 3 days, Emmett. We are so proud of you.

Emmett has been a very busy boy with little down time. At the end of July he was the ring bearer in his Aunt Katie's wedding to his new uncle Josh. This wedding took place at Squamish, B.C. on top of a mountain. Fortunately for everyone, rather than climbing the mountain to get there the Sea to Sky Gondola was there to transport everyone to the top. It was a very intimate family wedding and the setting was spectacular. Emmett missed out on a few pictures as the hectic pace of the day and the normal hustle and bustle of a wedding simply was too much for him. Combined with more heat than we've usually seen here in B.C. this summer and Emmett was simply not at 100% and, shortly after the rings were picked up from his care, he had to be excused from the ceremony. Fortunately, he bounced right back once he got into some air conditioned comfort and he could tell that everyone around him was relaxed.

 

Last Sunday Emmett participated in Charlie and Florence's 10K Run/Walk/Roll to End SMA. It was a fantastic weekend and over $52,000 was raised for SMA Canada to support the search for a cure. Emmett was out and about prior to the race start in his power chair - demonstrating his moves to anyone who would watch but mainly simply enjoying the movement himself.  Charlie and Florence's 10K event took place in beautiful Stanley Park. Emmett chose to go against the flow and did the course backwards from the start, meaning that he got to spend lots of time on the waterfront. This also meant that he got to cheer all of the runners as they came past. Emmett didn't take his power chair as he would not have stayed on course (He is good, but that's expecting too much of a 17 month old). Alisha and Josh pushed him in his stroller. Emmett learned to cheer whenever a runner or walker passed him - usually the cheer came after the runner was already out of sight - but it is the thought that counts, right!

While he is demonstrating some amazing skill with his chair he also demonstrates that he is only 17 months old. For example, at Canuck Place there is a two metre tall statue of a bear. Emmett loves bears and loves growling like a bear. This colourful statue is like a magnet for him and, ignoring the flower bed at the foot of the statue Emmett powers right up to the bear. If he hit it at the right angle, I'm sure that the chair would go right up on the base and topple backwards. Good thing that his parents realize that Emmett cannot be trusted to drive on his own. He is absolutely still considered a novice and an adult must be with him at all times. Canuck Place is so amazing and Emmett is treated like a rock star (they treat all of their children like rock stars!) and while there Emmett got to have a luxurious bubble bath. Which he absolutely hated. His face was a big frown. His arms and legs were pulled into a fetal position (good moves here Emmett) and he didn't move. He just wanted out! That was one new experience that will take a few more attempts before he learns to enjoy. Another experience that was fantastic was the snoezelen therapy room. This multisensory environment of light and sound is just a wonder for Emmett and makes his sound and light turtle or his Disney light wands pale in comparison. Fortunately for Alisha and Josh, (if you're wondering, the answer is yes. Alisha married Josh. And Katie just married Josh. LOL!) Emmett still loves his turtle. But the snoezelen therapy room was awe inspiring.

There's no doubt that you're likely wondering what kind of birthday helium balloon Emmett received. It was one day late (he got it yesterday) and it is a cool elephant balloon with paper ears and legs. The paper weights it down so that rather than floating on the ceiling it actually floats near floor level and looks like it is standing on it's own legs. Speaking of standing, Emmett had his legs casted yesterday so that they can make AFOs (ankle foot orthotics) that he will use in his standing frame. It is important to keep stretching the horizons of this little one by stretching his muscles. So as you can tell, this has been a tremendously busy few weeks for Emmett. Especially when you consider that between the wedding and Charlie and Florence's Run, Emmett was in BC Children's Hospital for the final part of the study that he is involved in with the drug study. We won't be getting an official answer as to whether Emmett is getting the real drug or not yet because Emmett is now involved in another blind study. Children in the first study go through the same process as the first study, except everyone gets the drug. But if you got the drug in the initial study, these children will get a placebo in the rapid phase and only get the real drug during the four month intervals. Just to maintain suspense and test the effects of the drug. Which we do believe Emmett has been receiving. 

 

 
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